Water is a Constant Question for People

There’s so much information out there about water but I always get the same questions. How much should I drink? What are the benefits of drinking water? Can other beverages take the place of water?

Here’s a New Water Video to Help

How Much Water Should I Drink?

Hopefully the video helped you understand how much water you should be drinking because it really is different for everyone. And, now you know how to test your own hydration level so you know when to drink more water.

Benefits of Drinking Water

The benefits of drinking water are incredible. Most importantly everything in your body works better when properly hydrated – when you are drinking enough water. All the receptors in the cell membranes (which are the means of command and the control message system) function more efficiently, proteins and enzymes are more efficient, oxygen is delivered better to the cells, nutrients are properly transported, body temperature is regulated, toxins and waste are more easily removed, the immune system is strengthened, as well as bones, joints, and organs are better cushioned. All because you are drinking enough water to be properly hydrated.

Water is the most important nutrient in the body, making up 55-60% of our total body mass. There have been direct links between serious conditions such as pain, hernia, heartburn, cataracts, chronic fatigue, kidney stones, lupus, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, stress, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Alzheimer’s, weight gain, asthma, allergies, and diabetes with the continuous state of dehydration – when you aren’t drinking enough water.

Other Beverages vs. Water

The research is all over the map on this question which is why I love going back to the water salute so you can identify for yourself how much water should I drink because once again, everyone is different. Maybe I only need 6 cups of water with my high water content fruit and vegetables plus tea where someone else needs 10 cups because they don’t eat as many high water content foods and drink enough caffeine to pull water from the body. Plus there’s the question of climate and exercise. So, I think the best idea is to use the test and find out how much water I drink each day.

I do highly recommend reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, especially if those drinks interfere with the amount of water you are drinking.

The benefits of drinking water can’t be highlighted enough. I’ve written about how drinking water can decrease pain. And I honestly believe that we are still discovering the importance of water. So ask yourself – how much water should I drink – and find your personal answer.

Father’s Day = Men’s Health

Just before Father’s Day I was asked if I could help KOBI-TV viewers identify the greatest threats to men’s health. I primarily focus on women’s health but I’ve had many male clients over the years and I know a bit about men’s health so I accepted the challenge.

Here’s the video from the men’s health show:

Top Causes of Men’s Death

This is a surprisingly short list. The top causes of death among adult men in the U.S. are heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, 63% of all deaths are caused by these conditions and heart disease is the leader by far.

We all know I personally know a lot about heart disease!

Here’s the best news though / researchers at the Centers for Disease Control also determined that up to 40% of those men’s deaths could be avoided with lifestyle changes.

A few lifestyle changes can significantly lower the risk of death from these common killers. Men’s health can be dramatically impacted.

F.A.T.H.E.R Formula

Find your healthy weight. Losing excess pounds â€” and keeping them off â€” can lower your risk of those killer diseases. The American Heart Association recommends a waist circumference of less than 40 inches for optimal men’s health and to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Alcohol consumption. If you choose to drink alcohol, moderation is key. For men under age 65 that’s up to two drinks a day. For men older than age 65 that’s one drink a day.

Terminate smoking. If you are still smoking or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Exercise. Just eating a healthy diet isn’t enough though; you must include physical activity in your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be a ton of time at the gym, choose sports or other activities you enjoy. Even a brisk walk can make a difference. One study in the journal The Lancet, found that for every 2,000 steps more per day a person took they decreased their risk of heart disease by 10%. Now it’s easy to track your steps with clip on pedometers or watches and even free apps on your phone.

Rendezvous with your doctor. See your doctor each year so you have a baseline for men’s health. Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors in check over time is much better than playing catch-up as you age.

Kellie was interviewed yesterday on KOBI TV about nutrition labels. Be sure to check it out!

With all the options available a trip to the grocery store can sometimes be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to make healthy choices. But it may become a little easier as the Food and Drug Administration plans to send new food label guidelines to the White House.

Kellie Hill, Nutrition Therapy Practitioner from The Right Plan says it’s about time. She tells people to be wary about food labels. [Read More]

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I have grown to appreciate how medical science can be applied to help sustain life. It is this reason I seek the guidance of a Nutritionist, such as Kellie Hill who understands and applies the effects and functions...